Month: April 2012

Farewell To Android

An iPhone 4S and a Nexus SOr: why I’ve finally switched to iPhone.

I’ve had my new iPhone for a couple of weeks now. It took me an hour or two to get my Google accounts and apps set up. Then I erased and reset my Nexus S. I haven’t even thought about picking it up again since.

And so, it seems, my decision to go for an Android phone three long years ago (that’s also three phones ago) now counts for nothing. In that time, I evangelized for Android, and probably helped convince a few people to opt for an HTC or Samsung over the ‘ubiquitous’ iPhone. But over the last 6 months or so, I found I was evangelizing less. I was starting to tire of Android and I was starting to covet the iPhones I saw around me. Here’s why:

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Firefox 12 released

Although there’s been no official word from Mozilla, Firefox 12 is now available to download for Windows and Mac. Since there are no final release notes, it’s hard to say exactly what’s changed so most of the known changes come from the Firefox 12 beta release. Mozilla claim there are 85 changes in all but the most notable is that Windows users will no longer get pestered by a User Account Control pop-up every time the browser updates. Also, the HTML5 media controls have been updated to provide a full screen button. Continue reading “Firefox 12 released”

How to install Opera Mini Next

Opera has various mobile browsers like Opera Mobile and Opera Mini for many different operating systems. Opera Mini Next is made to show upcoming ideas and changes that might be implemented into the official Opera Mini browser.

It’s a nice preview of ideas that the development team have and gives you a chance to give feedback. Opera is opening to creating a community for their Opera Mini browser.

Here’s how to download Opera Mini Next and take part of in the development of new features:

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Which version of DirectX do I have?

PC games almost always have a DirectX requirement – it’s often ‘DirectX 9.0C’. If you’re not sure which version you have installed, there’s an easy way to check! These instructions will work on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Read on to find out how.

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Play Diablo III open beta this weekend

Blizzard Entertainment’s fantasy/horror game Diablo III comes out on May 15th, and the beta version is open for anyone to play this weekend. You’ll need to sign up for a free account and download the client, then you can get down to slaughtering demons!

The beta isn’t massively long, but it gives you a taste of how the game has been improved. The general feeling I got was one of smoothness – Diablo III is really slick, and everything just seems to work as it should. The sound is excellent, and visually it manages to be dark enough while keeping everything clear.

Read on for a video of Diablo III gameplay.

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Create fun animations on your PC!

If you’re feeling  creative and want to give animation a try, you’ve got a lot of software choices. Pivot Stickfigure Animator is one of the options available to you. Plus, it’s free!

Pivot Stickfigure Animator lets you make stick figure animations by creating individual frames of action and then playing them in sequence. If done correctly, you’ll end up with a seamless cartoon.

The program also gives you a good variety of custom options, like modifying frames, preset characters, the ability to add different colors and even altering the appearance of the background. You can preview every change you’ve made before saving, to ensure your animation comes out just the way you want it to. Take a look! Continue reading “Create fun animations on your PC!”

MP3 Rocket: what you need to know

The music download arena has changed drastically over the last few years, with old favorites like LimeWire disappearing and new pretenders like MP3 Rocket appearing on the scene. When you’re used to one app and are forced to change to another, it’s natural to be wary and want to know what you’re getting into before you make the jump. If you’re considering using MP3 Rocket, read on. We’ll answer all your questions for you!

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Risen 2: Dark Waters Treasure Island DLC Preview

In the eternal battle between Ninjas and Pirates, I would always say Ninjas win.  But after getting some time to preview Deep Silver’s Risen 2: Dark Waters‘ Treasure Island DLC I may have to re-think my position.  Obviously Ninjas still win, but if the Pirates are like the ones in Risen 2: Dark Waters, then the battle may be much closer.

The Treasure Island DLC is free downloadable content if you pre-order Risen 2: Dark Waters.

I never had a chance to play Risen 2: Dark Waters before sitting down and experiencing two separate sections of the DLC.  After the preview, my expectations of the RPG game are mixed.  I like the idea of playing as a pirate, the skill tree, and variety of weapons and tools; but I don’t know if the game is presenting anything new.

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How to add visual effects and animations in Windows Live Movie Maker

There are plenty of great video editing programs out there for Windows but none can match the price (free) and simplicity of Windows Live Movie Maker. Microsoft has maintained the intuitive timeline dragging, easy to use ribbon interface, and an abundance of good looking effects and animations. In today’s How To, we will teach you how to add visual effects and animations in Windows Live Movie Maker. Continue reading “How to add visual effects and animations in Windows Live Movie Maker”